Hollywood-handsome Snitzel colt wild Ruler has been burning up the training tracks, and at his first start since finishing third to September Run in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington last October, proved a class above in the Listed Fireball Stakes at Randwick.
Ridden by James McDonald for Peter and Paul Snowden, the China Horse Club colour-bearer sat off the hot pace set by Mamaragan to defeat the I Am Invincible colt On The Lead by one and a quarter lengths with the Snitzel colt Andermatt a half-neck back in third.
“The spring may have come up a bit too soon for him,” Paul Snowden said.
"He was always going to turn into a lovely horse. He just needed a bit of time.
"We brought him here off two very nice trials and he had a nice gallop between races last Wednesday to relax him and get in the right frame of mind.
“He was very dominant today.
“The plan was always to run him second up in the Galaxy where he will drop anywhere from eight or nine kilos in weight. He can handle all conditions, wet or dry.”
Purchased by China Horse Club / Newgate Bloodstock / WinStar for $525,000 out of the Kia Ora Stud draft at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Wild Ruler made an exciting career debut when winning the $500,000 Inglis Nursery.
Third in the Group II Champagne Classic at Eagle Farm, Wild Ruler made a winning 3yo bow in the Listed Heritage Stakes at Rosehill before having On The Lead again in his wake in the Group II Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick.
The 3yo son of Snitzel advances his record to four wins a second and two thirds from eight starts with earnings of $821,225.
Bred by Kia Ora Stud, Wild Ruler is the third foal and second winner out of the smart racemare Gypsy Robin (USA).
An imported daughter of the Awesome Again stallion Daaher, Gypsy Robin (USA) won six races from 12 starts in the States, including a pair of Grade II Stakes and was runner-up in the Grade 1 Test Stakes at Saratoga.
Gypsy Robin (USA) has a yearling filly by American Pharoah (USA) who will be in the Kia Ora Stud draft heading to the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
After foaling another filly by Triple Crown hero again last spring, Gypsy Robin (USA) returned to Snitzel.
